Butter, Lefse & Laugh-Out-Loud Moments: Our Pinecrest Adventure

Step Back in Time ⏳👒 at Pinecrest Historical Village

In 2022, the kids and I set off on a little adventure to Pinecrest Historical Village in Manitowoc County. Hubby had to work, so it was just me and the crew —which usually means creative chaos because I’ve got my hands full with four kids! Who knew four kids could be so much work? 😂👩‍👧‍👦  🚗💨 Pinecrest is this incredible open-air museum made up of more than 25 historic buildings, and walking through it felt like stepping right into the 1800s!

Walking Through History 🏠🕰️

The kids were amazed that a handful of buildings could make up a whole town back then. We wandered into the general store, where they got to:
🥚 weigh eggs on an old-fashioned scale
☕ grind coffee beans by hand (my crew was not impressed with the effort it takes for one cup of coffee!)
🛒 learn how much groceries used to cost — let’s just say we all wished prices were still that low!

Meanwhile, I was trying to keep the 2-year-old (at the time) from climbing on the counter while answering my 10-year-old’s 1,000 questions. Mom life at its finest. 😅 

Next stop? Old-timey fashion. 👗👔 The kids felt replicas of historical clothing and immediately declared that the underwear was way too itchy. “We’d just go without!” one of the boys announced. 😂 

We also learned about proper table settings from back in the day — fancy china, shiny silverware, and glowing candleholders. ✨ I thought it was gorgeous. The kids? They were far more entertained by making gag faces when sampling some of the food.

And here’s where it got extra funny: we discovered that back then celeryshowed up at almost every meal served in it's very own celery vase, sometimes along side oxtail soup. 🦪🍖🥬 My crew wasnotimpressed. My oldest pushed his plate away and declared, “That’s disgusting!” with the seriousness only a kid can deliver. 🤣

Old-Fashioned Fun 🎲🪀

My littles(2 & 4 at the time)were in heaven playing the old games.

The string-on-a-ball game and wooden tops kept them busy for ages. 

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best. 💕 

Then came the butter-churning. 🧈 My 2-year-old could’ve churned all day! When we got to taste the fresh butter on warm, homemade bread… well, let’s just say everyone was officially on board. ✅ Kid-approved!

We toured one of the old houses 🛏️ and giggled at how tiny the beds were. The kids tried on wooden shoes (ouch 😅) and watched how carpets were woven. It really hit them how different daily life used to be without electricity, gadgets, or even central heat. I was just trying to keep little hands from touching every single thing.

Lefse Adventures 🥔🥖

One of the highlights was making Norwegian flatbread (lefse). The dough is made from potatoes, flour, butter, cream, and salt. The kids jumped right in:My 9-year-old turned out to be a pro at rolling lefse — seriously, I might hire him for holiday baking! 👏My 4-year-old tried his best to roll them paper thin. 💪My 2-year-old was very proud of her potato peeling. 🥔My oldest gave it a taste and made the face (again 😂). Which utterly shocked me because he is NOT a picky eater. Me? I just loved watching them get hands-on with history. Also, I may have said “don’t eat the flour straight from the table” about 47 times. #momlife

Beautiful Buildings ⛪🏦

We strolled from building to building, peeking inside the church, checking out what the bank looked like back in the day, and learning how families heated their homes through harsh Wisconsin winters ❄️🔥. The kids were shocked at the idea of surviving without a thermostat and having to go outside to get wood. My 4 year old chimed right in and said "don't worry mom, I bring you wood." (Funny, considering now he can't get enough of bon fires)

Pinecrest Historical Village – At a Glance 📚✨

📍 Located in Manitowoc County, WI
🗓️ Founded in 1969 on donated land
🏠 Over 30 historic buildings (immigrant homes, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, bank, church & more!)
🌱 Heirloom gardens used for cooking, dyeing, and medicine
👩‍🏫 Open May–October with costumed interpreters & family programs
🎉 Special events year-round: butter churning, blacksmithing, walking tours, lefse-making, and even lantern-lit evenings

Here Are Some Places We’re Saving for Next Time 📝✨

Our day at Pinecrest was packed, but there’s still so much more around Manitowoc County we want to explore. Next time, we’ve got these on our list:⚓ Wisconsin Maritime Museum – With real submarines and ship history, my crew is going to lose their minds here.🌌 West of the Lake Gardens – A beautiful lakeside garden that sounds like the perfect spot for a peaceful stroll (and maybe to let the kids burn off some energy!).🚢 SS Badger Lake Michigan Carferry – Because how often do you get to ride a historic ship across Lake Michigan?!🎨 Rahr–West Art Museum – Art + history inside a gorgeous mansion.🦁 Lincoln Park Zoo – Small, free zoo for a quick animal fix.🚴 Devil’s River State Trail – Scenic biking & walking paths.🌊 Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse – Perfect for a photo stop.Looks like another trip is definitely in order… hopefully next time hubby can join us for the chaos! 😅👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Final Thoughts 💭❤️

By the end of the day, we were all worn out from walking but so full of stories, giggles, and “remember when” moments. Pinecrest Historical Village gave us more than just history — it gave us memories.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly spot where kids can play, taste, and touch history (and laugh about itchy underwear, tiny beds, and celery along the way), Pinecrest is the perfect adventure. ✨